Attack Speed

Attack Speed is the rate of a melee weapon's strikes. It is derived from three attributes:

The attack animation for the given weapon class

The weapon's listed attack speed modifier

Increases to attack speed from mods

Each general weapon type follows a standard attack animation which controls baseline striking speed. The polearm type has a slower standard attack animation than the sword type, for example. Specific weapons (such as the Cronus of the sword type) each have their own base attack speed modifier which alters the rate of the attack animation. An attack speed of 1.0 runs its attacks at default speed. An attack speed of 1.2 executes 20% faster, while a speed of 0.8 runs 20% slower. Attack speed is then further increased (or decreased) by attack speed mods and ability buffs, giving us the following basic equation:

Note that certain effects can further change attack speed in special ways. The Berserker mod, for example, multiplies the total attack speed value rather than adding to attack speed from mods.

Recall that attack animations vary between weapon types. Despite the Fragor (Hammer) and Karyst (Dagger) both having listed speeds of 0.8, the Karyst's actual speed is faster than the Fragor's due to daggers having a faster attack animation.

Changes in attack speed apply to finishers, as well as the animation of charge attacks but not the actual charge time. However, weapons with ranged charge mechanics such as the Glaive and Redeemer are affected, with faster speeds allowing for faster charge times.